The most important fish in the sea

Despite protests from Virginia, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission voted Wednesday to limit the catch of menhaden by up to 37 percent. Menhaden, considered "the most important fish in the sea" by conservationists, play a key role in the food chain for rockfish and other species. The decision attracted tremendous public attention and fierce lobbying, particularly from Omega Protein, which processes the fish for animal feed, nutritional supplements and other uses. But ultimately, the commission listened to the science. Menhaden have routinely been overfished for decades, and the population is now just 8 percent of historic levels.

Despite protests from Virginia, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission voted Wednesday to limit the catch of menhaden by up to 37 percent. Menhaden, considered "the most important fish in the sea" by conservationists, play a key role in the food chain for rockfish and other species. The decision attracted tremendous public attention and fierce lobbying, particularly from Omega Protein, which processes the fish for animal feed, nutritional supplements and other uses. But ultimately, the commission listened to the science. Menhaden have routinely been overfished for decades, and the population is now just 8 percent of historic levels.

Despite protests from Virginia, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission voted Wednesday to limit the catch of menhaden by up to 37 percent. Menhaden, considered "the most important fish in the sea" by conservationists, play a key role in the food chain for rockfish and other species. The decision attracted tremendous public attention and fierce lobbying, particularly from Omega Protein, which processes the fish for animal feed, nutritional supplements and other uses. But ultimately, the commission listened to the science. Menhaden have routinely been overfished for decades, and the population is now just 8 percent of historic levels.